A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:34

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:18

Five things your mother-in-law wants you to know. Compiled from Marilyn’s interviews with real, actual mother-in-laws.

Let’s accept each other and things as they are
– acceptance to the core
– things to accept:– where everyone lives, near or far – our families are different, no right or wrong, no comparison or competition
– respect

Let’s assume the best of each other
– limit unsolicited advice
– keep things in perspective

Let’s talk and learn to communicate
– find the best way to stay in touch
– boundaries – asking permission, husband and wife need to be united front
– be positive – say things you appreciate about each other
– ask for help
– magic phrase “You might be right.” – affirms the other person without agreeing

Let’s get to know each other woman-to-woman
– listen
– understanding where each other is coming from helps understand reactions
– learn her favorites
– pursue relationships with your husband’s siblings

Let’s make prayer part of our relationship
– praying for your marriage
– praying for understanding and self-control

The always-inspiring Mickey Holtzman was back with her “Messy and Memorable” tips for playing with your kids. She emphasized the importance of engaging as many senses as possible with activities. Sensory experiences are tied to memory.

Like who can forget starting with a hand dance?

Then there was the bubbling bottle project – just oil, water, food coloring and alka seltzer. What fearless volunteers we had!

Or poking a water bottle with an ice pick (I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’ve ever had an ice pick at MOPS) to make a water fountain.

Other activity suggestions from Mickey:

flashlight walks

dish towel chicken

decorate rocks

Gak – cornstarch, water, food coloring (in bathtub for easy cleanup)

hammer golf tees into styrofoam with a wooden spoon

play in shaving cream or cool whip

bubble solution – 1 part Dawn, 3 parts water

spaceship – decorate big box, wrap everything in foil including the kids for a space suit

silly string

She had a table up front with lots of other fun stuff.

And words to remember

And keep your sense of humor! Check back for more posts with tips from Mickey on having fun with your kiddos.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

This week, the dynamic duo of Erin Matherne and Jennifer Young spoke to us about being prepared for tribulation – practically, financially and spiritually. Erin and Jennifer call Austin Ridge home and are both former MOPS moms.

First, Erin shared her story of fighting breast cancer at only 37. She spoke of the support from friends – prayers, meals, comfort, help with her two young boys – over the nine months of her treatment and recovery. This life-threatening experience prompted her to compile some legal considerations for others to be prepared for serious medical situations. The benefits of prepared documents include protecting family, providing peace of mind for yourself, and making decisions in advance to clearly evaluate options.

Erin’s Essential Estate Planning Documents

Will

advantages: establish who will inherit property, set a guardian for children, establish a trust, name an executor

if you don’t do these things, the state court will

Power of Attorney

gives a person legal authority to make binding financial decisions

includes specific powers, and the person must act in your best interest

Medical Power of Attorney

names someone to make medical decisions when you are unable

Living Will

advance directive

describes your wishes for types of life-sustaining medical intervention you do or don’t want

gives you a voice when you cannot communicate

Then Jennifer shared the story of the life changes that took places when her husband was involved in a serious car accident. She realized there were many important financial things they had not discussed. She spoke for the majority of us when she said, “We spend more time planning our vacations than planning our lives and talking about these things.”

Jen’s Top Ten Conversations You Need to Have

money management

list of accounts and passwords

know your debts

life insurance

disability

safe or safety deposit box – who has access, where are the keys

worker’s compensation

general emergency plan – fire, natural disaster, etc

power if attorney

plan for your kids

She also shared her spiritual learnings from facing adversity as a family:desperate dependence – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9eager expectation – “I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3humble heart – “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous. It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God.” Proverbs 16:18-20, The Message

Erin and Jennifer have a passion for helping families prepare for unexpected times. They have personally experienced life-changing circumstances and want to be available for those who have questions while compiling essential documents and having serious conversations. Feel free to contact them, information below. And check out Jen’s playlist of songs for the storm.

All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.Helen Keller

This week, Julie Carr – mom to eight, blogger, and women’s director at Life Austin – spoke about weaving the “Curious Threads” of our children and untangling a beautiful mess.

Highlights of Curious Threads

God has knit our children together, He didn’t drop any stitches. We weave the natural threads of our children into purpose, beauty and meaning. We are weaving the next generation, our legacy. Just as the Israelite women brought their creations for worship, our motherly weaving is an act of worship.

There are several common tangles to avoid:

the tangle of vocation – look past the job title to the character traits our child shows

the tangle of education – release educational expectations to fulfill purpose, “We have beautifully educated people who don’t have a purpose.”

the tangle of bubble wrap – “We want to protect them from the very things that forge character… Life is not stinkin’ fair. I’d rather have them learn that in the warmth of our home than protect them from everything then set them out unprepared.”

the tangle of self – the dreams of stuff we didn’t have or what we messed up, let them live out their calling not what we wish ours was

“The thing is not the thing.” Choose activities wisely with character-building in mind. For example, dance is an opportunity for self-discipline and creativity. If you can’t identify what the true benefit is, you’ve missed the thing.

Our primary objective as believing parents is not to identify our child’s future vocation, it is to help them find their purpose and calling in life. Study your kids like a scientific experiment:

question/purpose

research

hypothesize

experiment

analysis

Julie used the DISC assessment as an example of how to study your children. Each personality type has strengths and weakness, and being aware of those can help weave our children’s threads and avoid tangles.

God knit us for greater purpose. Our goal is not to raise perfect children, it is to raise purposed children.

Come early (before 9:30) and you could win our fall style doorprize – a fall wreath and a giftcard to H&M.

Our speaker is Julie Carr, the women’s director at Life Austin church. She is “mother to a multitude” of eight. Yep, eight. I’m pretty sure she’s seen some beautiful messes and has some good stuff to share with us. Just check out some of her blog posts, like this one on prioritizing your marriage.

We will be gathering items for the baskets to auction at bunco night, so remember to bring whatever you signed up for. And if you didn’t sign up for something, contact your table leader about your theme basket.

Speaking of bunco… Beach Blanket Bunco is fast approaching! Bring your checkbook to sign up for the fun (or just sign up right now). And Shelly will give us more info on the family photo fundraiser coming up in November.

Last, but not least, this is the last day for the giveaway we’re doing on the blog. I’ll be announcing the winner at the meeting, so you’ve only got a few more hours to get connected and enter to win!

This year’s theme is “A Beautiful Mess” with the tag line “Embrace your story.” We don’t have too much trouble relating to the mess, but sometimes it takes a little more work to embrace our stories. Our speaker co-ordinator, Paige, created some great questions for us to think through and articulate our mothering stories of September 2013.
We wrote out answers then discussed with our tables. It took some vulnerability, but sharing our struggles and goals really helped build relationships and bring encouragement. We also shared many laughs over cute stories and embarrassing moments.

If you missed this meeting, please answer these questions if you can and give them to your table leader. At the last meeting in April, we will be opening our “time capsules” and reflecting on how our stories may have changed over the year.

Moppets curriculum co-ordinator Amanda told us what our kiddos will be up to this semester – “I belong to Jesus” theme with memory verses, Bible stories, mini take-home books and crafts. And look for supplementary activities to be posted here on the blog!